‘It’s our life’
Wrinkles adorning her face are no deterrent to the spark in her eyes. Anasuya Devi at 80 is one of the oldest members of the Surabhi group. A recent heart surgery has slowed down her movement, hence she does not take an active role on stage. She nevertheless pitches in by stitching clothes and helping the younger lot groom themselves. In her heydays she played most of the female central characters, but Anasuya Devi says her favourite characters are Yasodha, Savithri and Taramathi. “We’ve had births and deaths happening on stage,” she says and recalling her own experience, Anasuya Devi says that she performed in her ninth month of pregnancy and moved to the side wings only when she got into the labour. After delivering her child she rested exactly for five days and 6th day she was back on stage.
Tweleve-year-old Lochana, a student of Std. VIII in Mahbubiya School, takes part in all the cultural events in school. Her joy is visible when she informs that she loves playing all the child characters. “This is part of our life,” the little girl smiles.
